Pitt’s Aaron Donald Goes To Rams As 13th Overall Pick

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PITTSBURGH (93-7 The Fan/AP) — The St. Louis Rams used their second pick of the first round to bolster their defensive front, taking Pitt Panthers’ defensive tackle Aaron Donald with the 13th overall selection Thursday night.

The 6-foot-1, 285-pound Donald won the Nagurski and Bednarik awards as the nation’s best defensive player, and the Outland and Lombardi as the country’s best lineman.

Donald was the team captain last season and thrived in a 3-4 alignment, leading the nation in tackles for loss.

He ran a 4.68-second, 40-yard dash at the combine.

When the 13th pick was on the clock, Donald said he got a phone call from head coach Jeff Fisher who said, “You’re going to be a St. Louis Ram.”

Donald was overcome with emotion upon the announcement.

When asked if the moment was anything like he expected, Donald said humbly, “It’s more. I tried to be tough and hold the tears in.”

“It’s just the beginning,” Donald said of the opportunity. “I still got a lot of work to do and a lot more time to put in.”